Publisher's Synopsis
"A former Environmental Protection Agency attorney delivers an impassioned plea to fight pollution and climate change. Timely and engaging; a heroic environmental story well told." - Kirkus Book Review, April 22, 2020 (50th Anniversary of Earth Day)
"Written both as a historic record and 'how to' guide aimed at inspiring change makers, this unvarnished and timely depiction from 1980 to today has something to offer readers of any age or ilk. Emory pulls back the curtain to expose the inner workings of the federal government and the EPA. He dives into the data-historic indicators, scientific and economic data, and policy choices-as well as humorously illustrating his forays abroad and his courtroom adventures. He tells the story of rampant pollution and how the US has fallen so far behind in its response to climate change and transition to clean energy. Emory has faith in forthcoming environmentalists, and his solutions-oriented presentation of the facts makes complex, cross-sector challenges feel within our grasp." - Fiona Gordon, published in Maine Environment newsletter of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (Augusta, Maine, spring & summer 2020)
"This hybrid that is a must-read memoir and climate change book is NOT another dry treatise or one-sided, unbalanced diatribe. Richard Emory has written a very thoroughly knowledgeable and realistic account of the truth about EPA and how to fight pollution. He weaves in wonderful personal climate change stories and anecdotes about successes and failures of environmental policies enacted in the U.S. and other countries and how national attitudes have affected climate change & EPA's mission. Young people will be inspired to learn how to protect our environment." - David Katz, retired Assistant United States Attorney
* * * * *
With the election of President Biden and a new Congress, America is rejoining the Western world that sees the need for the U.S. to revive its EPA, formulate a "Green New Deal," and restore U.S. global leadership within the Paris Climate Accord.
Fighting Pollution and Climate Change is a must-read memoir by Richard W. Emory, Jr., our nation's former top legal advisor to all EPA federal special agents. Emory witnessed how the U.S Department of Justice failed to effectively prosecute crimes of pollution. He became a whistleblower when interviewed by Congress that was investigating reports of mishandled pollution cases. In the second half of his career, working within EPA's foreign assistance mission, to the waiting world he helped spread effective measures for pollution control and for the implementation of global environmental treaties.
Fighting Pollution and Climate Change is a "page-turner" - you will laugh, you will cry, but you won't be bored. You will learn the truth about U.S. and international successes and failures in the fight against air, water, pesticides and toxic-waste pollution. You'll be encouraged by his insider perspective as he tells how to protect the climate using today's technologies and EPA's proven policies.
Who will benefit from this important environmental book?
- Aspiring environmental activists - both young and old - who want to learn how to fight pollution and take action on climate change
- Lovers of memoirs and nature, who will be touched by one individual's adventures in the exciting work of pollution control that can and must be expanded to climate protection
- Global leaders and movements prepared to face the next chapter of unifying our world under a much stronger agenda to heal the Earth and protect our planet
